Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-29

the pleasures OF gossip sought the society OF
ladies' The man knows bettor now. He goes
to the smoking room Of his club.
DR.. Wybrow lighted his cigar and looked
round him at his brethren in social conclave
assembled. The room was well filled, but the
flow Of talk was still langud Tie doctor
innocently applied the stimulant that was
wanted When ho inquired IL anybody knew
the Countess Narona he was answered by
something like a shout of astonishment
Never (the conclave agreed had such an alb
surd question been asked beforel Every
human creature, with the slightest claim to a
place In society, knew the Countess Narona
An adventures with European reputation
Of the blacklist possible color-such was the
general description OF the woman with the
death like complexion and the glittering eyes
Descending to particulars, each member Of
the club contributed his own little stock Of
scsndal to the memoirs of the countss 1t
vas doubtful whether she was really what
tao called herself, a Dalmatian lady. II was
doubtful whether she had ever been married
70 the count whose widow she assumed to be.
1t was doubtful whether the man who ac-
companied her in her travels under the name
OF Baron Rivar, and in the character OF her
brother was her brother at all. Report
pointed TO the baron as gambler at every
stable" on the continent Report whispered
that his so called sister had narrowly escaped
being implicated in famous trial for poison
Ing at Vienna-that she had been known rs
a spy In the interest Of Austria-tlat her
department. In Paris had been denounced to
the police us nothing less than private gam
bling house-and that her present appearance
In England was the natural result OF that
discovery. Only one member OF the assem-
bly, in the smoking room took the part OF this
much abused woman and declared that her
character had been most cruelty and most
unjustly assailed. But as the man was
lawyer, his interference went for nothing; 1t
was naturally attributed to the spirit of con-
tradiction inherent in bis profession. He was
asked derisively what no thought of the cir
cumstances under which the countess had be-
come engaged to be married, and he made
the characteristic answer, that he thought
the circumstances highly creditable TO both
parties, and that he looked OH the lady's fu-
ture husband as n most enyiable man.
Hearing this the doctor raised another
| Ihout Of establishment by inquiring the name
" the gentleman whom the countess was
,bout to marry.
His friends in the smoking room decided
unanimously that the celebrated physician
must DO a second "Trip Van Winkle,n and
that he had just awakened from a super
natural sleep of twenty years. 1t was all very
well to say that he was devoted to his profess
iion, and that he had neither time nor incli-
patton to pick up fragments Of gossip at din
Ter parties and balls. A man who did not
Know that the Countess Narona had borrowed
money at Homburg of no less a person than
Lord Montbarry, and had then deluded him
INTO making her proposal Of marriage, was
4 man who had probably never heard Of Lord
Montbarry himself. The younger members
If the club, humoring the joke, sent winter
for The Peernge, and read aloud the memoir
| Of the nobleman in question, for the doctors
beneft-with illustrative morsels Of intorma-
ton interpolated by themselves
"Herbert John Westwick First Baron
Montbarry, of Montbarry, Kings county,
Ireland. Created peer for distinguished
military services In India. Forty-eight
years old, doctor at the present time.
Not married. VIII be married next week,
doctor, to the delightful creature we
have been talking about. Heir presumptive,
his lordship's next brother, Stephen Robert,
married to Ella, youngest daughter OF the
Rev. Silas Marden, rector Of Runnigate, and
has issue, three daughters. Younger brothers
Of his lordship, Francis and Henry, unmar-
ried. Sisters of his lordship, Lady Barville,
married to Sir Theodore Barville, Bart, and
Anne, widow Of the late Peter Norbury,
ESQ.,, Of Norbury Cross Bear his lordship's
relations well in mind, doctor. Three broth
ers Westwick, Stephen, Francis and Henry,
and two sisters, Lady Barville and Mrs. Nor
bury. Not one OF the five will be present at
the marriage, and not one of the five will
leave stone unturned to stop 1t IL the count
ess will only give them chance. Add to these
hostile members Of the family another
offended relative not mentioned in Tho Peer
age, young LADY,
A sudden outburst Of protest In more than
one part OF the room stopped the coming dis
closure and released the doctor from further
persecution.
"Don't mention the poor girl s name; it's
too bad 10 make Joke of that part Of the
business; she has behaved nobly under shame
full provocation; there Is but one excuse fol
Montbarry-he is either a mailman or fool.
In these terms the protest expressed itself or
all sides. Speaking confidentially to his nexi
neighbor, the doctor discovered that the lady
referred to was already known to him
Through the countess confession) rs the lady
deserted by Lord Montbarry. Her name wai
Agnes Lockwood. She was described az
being the superior Of the countess in personal
attraction, and as being also by some yeari
the younger woman Of the two Making all
allowance for the follies that men committed
every day in their relations with women
Montoarrys delusion was still the most mon
strous delusion OH record. In this expression
Of opinion every man present agreed-tht
lawyer even included. Not one OF then
could call to mind the innumerable instances
In which the sexual influence has proved ire
sistible In the persons Of women without ever
the pretension to beauty. The very member
Of the club whom the countess lin spite Of heI
personal Disadvantage could have most
easily fascinated, II she had thought 1t worth
her while, were the members who wondered
most loudly at Montbarry's choice OF wife.
While the topic Of the countess marriage
was still the one topic Of conversation, q
member OF the club entered the smoking
room, whose appearance instantly produced
dead silence. Dr. Wybrow's next neighbol
whispered to him, "Montbary's brother
Henry Westwick."
The new conner looked around him slowly,
with bitter smile.
"You are talking OF my brother" no said.
"Don't mind me. Not one Of you can despise
him more heartily than do. Go on, gentle.
men-go onp
But one man present took the speaker al
his word. That man was the lawyer who
had already undertaken the defense Of the
countess
~ stand alone In my position" he said,
"ond / am not ashamed OF repeating It In
anybody's hearing. consider the Countess
Narona TO be a cruelty treated woman. Why
shouldn't she be Lord Montbarry's wifei
Who can say she has mercenary motive in
marrying himr
Montbarry's brother turned sharply on the
speaker. 81 say itlH he answered.
The reply might have shaken some men.
The lawyer stood on his ground firmly ns
ever.
al believe am right" he rejolned, sin
stating that his lordship's income is not more
than sufficient to support his station In life;
also that 1t is an Income derived almost en-
tirely from landed property in Ireland, every
acre of which is entailed."
Montbarry's brother made sign, admitting
that he had no objection to offer 50 far.
"If his lordship dies first" the lawyer pro.
ceeded, ~ have been informed that the only
provision he can make for his widow con-
sists In rcnt charge on the property Of no
moro than R4OO Year His fafirinr mansion